An in-depth look at the Clinton LumberKings from radio broadcaster Dave Lezotte. The LumberKings are the class A Midwest League Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

Roster Released

LumberKings Release 2009 Opening Day Roster

Dan Carroll, Denny Almonte anchor experience-laden Clinton squad

Clinton, IA – The Seattle Mariners era has officially begun in the city of Clinton.The new parent club of the LumberKings unveiled the 2009 roster today, filled with familiar names that have passed through the Midwest League before.Twelve of Clinton’s newest 25 players – anchored by prospects like Dan Carroll and Denny Almonte – have suited up with Seattle’s former affiliate in Wisconsin.

Lead by former Timber Rattlers manager Scott Steinmann, pitching coach Lance Painter and hitting coach Jesus Azuaje, the LumberKings will hit the field on Opening Day with a total of six players who have been drafted within the top five picks by the Mariners over the last three seasons.

Almonte and Carroll will go through sophomore seasons in the league after being selected in the second and third rounds, respectively in 2007.Almonte batted .249 with 10 home runs and 51 RBI for Wisconsin last year, while Carroll hit .248 with 31 steals and 36 runs scored with the Timber Rattlers prior to a promotion to high-A High Desert.Right-hander Nolan Gallagher (the fourth round pick in 2007) split last season between the Arizona League and Northwest League, but went 0-2 with a 4.58 ERA with Wisconsin in 2007.He is currently listed on the seven-day DL.

Early-rounders from the 2008 draft includes right-handers Aaron Pribanic (third round), Steve Hensley (fourth round) and Brett Lorin (fifth round).Pribanic (1-2, 15.43 ERA with Peoria) and Hensley (2-1, 5.22 ERA with Everett) each pitched in less than 10 games in their debut assignments last year.Lorin went 1-2 with a 3.96 ERA between Everett and Wisconsin.Seventh-round infielder Nate Tenbrink (.198, 5 HR, 21 RBI with Everett) and eighth-round left-hander Bobby LaFromboise (2-2, 3.46 ERA with Everett) were also amongst Seattle’s first ten picks last year.

The most intriguing prospect is third baseman Mario Martinez.Ranked the seventh-best prospect in the Seattle system by Baseball America prior to this season, the 20-year-old Martinez hit .319 with five home runs and 32 RBI in 64 games with Pulaski.He ranked third in the Appalachian League in total hits (80) and fifth in total bases (116).

Outfielders Maximo Mendez and Kalian Sams have both spent time with Wisconsin, as has infielder Terry Serrano.Pitchers Cheyne Hann, Jose Jimenez, Keith Meyer, Ryan Moorer and Walter Suriel are also former Timber Rattlers.Right-hander Adam Harben pitched for Quad City in 2003 and 2004.

A breakdown of the 2009 Opening Day Roster:

RH Pitchers (11 + 1)

LH Pitchers (2)

Catchers (2)

Infielders (6)

Outfielders (4)

Flores, Ruben

Gallagher, Nolan (DL)

Hann, Cheyne

Harben, Adam

Hensley, Steve

Kasparek, Kenn

Lorin, Brett

Meyer, Keith

Moorer, Ryan

Nation, Blake

Pribanic, Aaron

Suriel, Walter

Jimenez, Jose

LaFromboise, Bobby

Fuentes, Juan

Howell, Travis

Billingsley, Ben

Martinez, Mario

Nunez, Luis

Savastano, Scott

Serrano, Terry

Tenbrink, Nate

Almonte, Denny

Carroll, Daniel

Mendez, Maximo

Sams, Kalian

The LumberKings open the 2009 season on Thursday, April 9 at Community Field against the Burlington Bees.The game begins at 6:30 PM.Listen to the action on AM 1390 KCLN in Clinton or live on the web at www.lumberkings.com.

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